Building construction



March 30, 1937. J, w WARREN 2,075,560

' BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed 001;. 15, 1954 Patented Mar. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES i ATENT OFFIC BUILDING CONSTRUCTION John Wright Warren, Knoxville, Tenn.

Application October 15, 1934, Serial No. 748,417

15 Claims. (01. 72-68) My invention relates to building constructions open groove having a substantially closed botand more particularly comprises certain novel tom, so that plastic cementitious material introtypes of elements adapted to be precast and assoduced into the open trough to bond the slabs ciated to form a joist-supported floor constructogether will be retained therein without loss tion, the arrangement of such elements in a through leakage, and a closely related object is floor construction, and a novel method of makto form the trough-defining edges of cooperating ing certain of the elements. slabs with means for supporting joint reinforcing An important aspect of the invention is a novel elements in a predetermined desirable relation type of joint by which abutting slabs of precast to the height or thickness of the slabs, requiring material are adapted to be associated in a floor practically no exercise of skill or judgment on and joist construction of superior strength, intethe part of the installing workman. grality and permanence. In a full, preferred Various additional objects are contemplated by form of embodiment the abutting slabs and the the invention, and other advantageous features cooperating surfaces of the joist are specially are inherent in it, all of which will become more formed so that the slabs and the joist cooperate apparent as thefollowing description of a pre- 1 to define a joint space acting as a keyway for a ferred form of embodiment proceeds.

filler of mortar, cement or grouting acting as In the accompanying drawing which forms a key to prevent relative movement of the slabs part of this application for Letters Patent and and jo t. which, in conjunction with the following descrip- An important object of the invention is to tion, discloses a preferred embodiment of the provide a slab and joist construction capable invention,

of being inexpensively manufactured without Figure 1 is a sectional View through a joist and special equipment except appropriate molds, and a portion of two slab elements supported by the Capable of being readily assembed y D joist and bonded thereto in accordance with the ve y unskilled label! principles of the present invention;

2 A fur O je of the invention is o provide Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the slabs a slab and joist arrangement including reinshown in Fig. 1, taken at a right angle thereto, forced joints resulting in a substantially monoand showing a portion of the joist in side lithic floor and support construction in which elevation;

movement of the slabs relative to each other and Fig. 3 is a section taken through the molding relative to the joist is effectively prevented. equipment showing a plurality of mold boxes in A special feature of the invention resides in which the joists are being made; and providing joists and slabs formed to provide the Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a corner of one 0V a d fi e ype of j t a y plained of the floor slabs showing the two novel edge forabove without requiring the slabs and joist to be mations contemplated by the invention.

DrOVideCl With Shoulders Which e diflieult It is to be understood that I regard the invenfOTIn by a Casting Operation In other Words, tion as of broad scope, including essentially any the special form of the elements contemplated by means as defined by the appended claims for the present invention is consistent with rapid achieving the objects indicated hereinabove. The

40 and y manufeetllie c ording to methods alinvention is thus not to be regarded as limited to ready Well knOWnthe exact type of specific elements which are eX- The invention contemplates further a n Ve plained by way of illustration in this specificap ss f casting h joi t lem wh r by tion. Such terms as joist, floor slab and the these elemen s r capable of b in q ckly and like are intended to include additional analogous ineXpensiVelY made With internal ing building construction elements to which the inmeans and an accurately formed external survention is obviously applicable. face We a p to Support the o pe at g Referring now to Fig. 1, the embodiment of the slabs and cooperating with them in forming a invention there shown includes a joist I, preferclose-fitting assembly providing an originally open ably precast as will be later explained, and reinjoint capable of receiving cementitious material forced by a pair of spaced longitudinal elements U without leakage, or without excessive leakage, 2,2 and a series of transverse tie wires or the like to form the key mentioned above. 3, looped around and connecting the longitudi- An additional object of the invention is to pronals 2. The upper, or floor supporting surface 4 'vide slab elements having specially formed edges of the joist may be made somewhat thicker than ;5 adapted to cooperate to provide a trough-like the central portion of the joist, and the bottom 1 part of the joist may be similarly thickened, for the usual purpose of economizing in material and providing wide bearing surfaces.

The floor-supporting surface 4 is provided with a longitudinal, central channel 5, which may be relatively shallow and which may have outwardly flaring sides, as shown.

The slabs 6 are conveniently all made alike, and as shown in Fig. l, each slab comprises a relatively flat body having the novel types of end wall which will now be described.

The end wall I of each slab is intended to be placed over the channel 5 of a joist and there cooperate with the similar end wall I of another slab spaced somewhat from it to provide an open joint as shown in Fig. l. The end wall 1 therefore comprises an upper margin 8 and a lower margin 9, both of which may lie in the same plane and be normal to the top and bottom surfaces of the slab. The margins 8 and 9 are separated by an indentation l0 which may take the form of the groove or channel as shown in Fig. 4. Preferably each end wall I is provided with a plurality of these indentations, for example two separated by a sort of lug l I which may be flush with the margins 8 and 9, and which has end portions l2 which preferably constitute abrupt ends of the indentations ill.

It will be understood that each slab is conveniently provided with two opposite, similar end walls 1. Each slab may be rectangular in plan, and its remaining two end walls are each preferably formed as shown at [3 in Fig. l. This formation comprises an upper margin I4 and a lower margin l5, each of which may be normal to the broad top and bottom surfaces of the slab and both of which lie in parallel spaced planes, the lower margin l5 being extended outwardly an appreciable distance beyond the plane of the upper margin l4. The margins I4 and I5 are separated by an indentation I6 which may take the form of the groove or channel shown in Fig. 4. Each end wall I3 is preferably provided with a plurality of indentations l5, for example the two shown in Fig. 4, and these indentations are separated by a sort of lug I! which constitutes a beveled connection for the margins l4 and I5. The side walls l8 of the lug I! are preferably formed to constitute abrupt ends for the indentations Hi, this phase of this end wall construction being analogous to the relationship of the parts H, l2 and ID as explained in the foregoing description of the wall I.

A plurality of slabs formed to include the essential features of the end wall constructions just explained is assembled with joists in the relationship shown in Figs. 1 and 2, that is, end walls 1 of adjacent slabs are spaced apart slightly over the channel f the joist, with the edge margins of the bottom surfaces resting on the floor-supporting surface 4 of the joist, and the end walls I3 of the slabs are placed quite close together and.

extend right-angularly to the joist, as shown in Fig. 2. It will be observed that the cooperating lower margins l5 of the end walls l3 are sepa rated by a very slight space.

Joint reinforcing elements I9 are placed in the joint shown in Fig. 2 defined by end walls 13, and are supported in the joint by resting on the cooperating lugs ll. Similar reinforcing elements 20 are then laid in the joints defined by the end walls 1 and are supported by resting on the reinforcing elements l9, as shown in Fig. 1.

Plastic cementitious material, such as Portland cement, mortar, grouting or the like, is then poured into both joints. In the joint of Fig. 1 the cementitious material fills the channel 5 and the rest of the joint up to the top surfaces of the slabs. In the joint of Fig. 2 the cementitious material fills the entire joint up to the top surfaces of the slabs, little or none being permitted to escape through the closely spaced cooperating lower margins l5.

It will be evident from Fig. 1 that the cementitious material in the joint there shown constitutes, when completely set, a key 2| which will prevent lifting of either slab, or any longitudinal or lateral movement thereof, securely and permanently bonding the slabs and the joist together. It will also be evident that the key 22, similarly formed in the joint of Fig. 2 will prevent lifting of either slab or horizontal movement thereof. It will be obvious that these movements are prevented by the reaction of the various shoulders formed in the joints with the key which completely fills the joint and abuts the various shoulders. The shoulders are of course the end walls l2 and $8 of lugs H and t! and the surfaces of the indentations l0 and I6.

It will be observed further that the rei'nforcin elements l9 and 20 are securely embedded in their respective joints, so that the joints are made unusually strong and the permanence of the bond provided by the keys 2 land 22 is assured.

It is important that the slab-supporting surface 4 of the joist I be accurately plane and smooth, lest the cementitious mate-rial which is to"-form the key 2| be largely lost by leakage through the abutting surfaces of the slabs and joists. To obtain accurate placement of the channel 5 and the required accurate smoothness and planeness of the surfaces 4, I cast the joist as shown in Fig. 3. The surface 4 is formed at the bottom of the mold, where it is easy to provide a smooth and plane bottom mold wall 23. A filler 24 is used to form the channel 5. The reinforcing assembly, designated generally 25', and comprising the longitudinals and the connecting tie, is introduced into the mold with a portion of the mix. The mix may be tamped in place if desired and the extending end of the reinforcing assembly 25 may then be positioned upright in the mold cavity centrally thereof. It remains supported in this centralposition by the portion of the mix which surrounds the lower part of the reinforcing assembly. The balance of the mix is then introduced into the mold and levelled off at the top. After hardening, the mold is stripped and the result is a precast joist having an accurately formed slab-supporting surface 4 and an acciuately centrally positioned reinforcing assembly 25.

It is to be observed that the branching arm-s of the tie wire 3 which extend through and reinforce the thickened, floor-supporting portion of thejoist' comprise in effect a pair of legs on which the reinforcing assembly 25 stands in the mold, contributing materially to its stability while the finishing quantity of mix is being introduced into the mold. The reinforcing assembly 25 may be formed in any convenient manner, and comprises, in the form which I prefer to employ, relatively thick rods 2, and thinner wires 3 connecting the rods 2 and constituting the end legs just described;

The invention has been described in terms of a specific embodiment, but is capable of being embodied in other and further modified forms. The explanation of one embodiment in this specification is to be taken as illustrative only. Various changes, not affecting the spirit or principles or the invention, will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art, and all such-changes, to the extent that they incorporate the principles of the invention as defined by the appended claims, are to be deemed within the scope andpurview of such principles and claims. s

1. A building construction comprising a joist having an upper surface provided with a channel, a pair of slabs resting on the joists with a por tion of their adjacent edges spaced apart and overlying a portion only of the channel, and a filler of cementitious material in the space between the slabs and in the channel under the edges of the slabs bonding the slabs to the joist.

2. A building construction comprising a joist having an upper surface provided with a channel, a pair of slabs resting on the joist with a portion of their adjacent edges spaced apart a distance less than the width of the channel and overlying a portion only of the channel, and a filler of cementitious material in the space between the slabs and in the channel under the edges of the slabs bonding the slabs to the joist.

3. A building construction comprising a joist having an upper surface provided with a channel, a pair of slabs resting on the joist with a portion of their adjacent edges spaced apart a distance less than the width of the channel and over lying the marginal portions only of the channel, and a filler of cementitious material in the space between the slabs and in the channel under the edges of the slabs bonding the slabs tothe joist.

4. A building construction comprising a joist having an upper surface provided with a channel,

- a pair of slabs resting on the joist with a portion of their adjacent edges spaced apart and overlying a portion only of the channel, said edge of one of the slabs being provided with an indentation constituting a lateral enlargement of the joint formed by said edges, and a filler of cementitious material filling the channel and the joint, including the lateral enlargement, bonding the slabs to the joist.

5. A building construction comprising a joist having an upper surface provided with a channel, a pair of slabs resting on the joist with a portion of their adjacent edges spaced apart and overlying a portion only of the channel, said edge of each of the slabs being provided with an indentation constituting lateral enlargements of the joint formed by said edges, and a filler of cementitious material filling the channel and the joint, including the lateral enlargements, bonding the slabs to the joist.

6. A building construction comprising a joist having an upper surface provided with a channel, a pair of slabs resting on the joist with a portion of their adjacent edges spaced apart and overlying a portion only of the channel, said edge of each of the slabs being provided with an indentation spaced above the bottom surface of the slab and constituting lateral enlargements of the joint formed by said edges, and a filler of cementitious material filling the channel and the joint, including the lateral enlargements, bonding the slabs to the joist.

'7. A building construction comprising a joist having an upper surface provided with a channel, a pair of slabs resting on the joist with a portion of their adjacent edges spaced apart and overlying a portion only of the channel, said edge of one of the slabs being provided with an indentation constituting a lateral enlargement of the joint formed by said edges, a portion of the material of the slab being extended into said indentation to form an end wall thereof, 'and'a fillerof cementitious material filling the channel and the joint, including the lateral enlargement, bonding the slabs to the joist. r

8. A building construction comprising a joist having an upper surface provided witha channel, a pair of slabs resting on the joist with a portion of their adjacent edges spaced apart and overlying a portion only of the channel, said edges of the slabs being provided with indentations constituting lateral enlargements'of the joint formed by said edges, a portion of the material of each slab being extended into the indentation in said slab to form an end wall of said indentation, and a filler of cementitious material filling the channel and the joint, including the lateral enlargements, bonding the slabs to the joist.

9. A building element comprising a slab having an end wall adapted to be juxtaposed with and bonded to the similar end wall of a similar element, said end wall having a lower edge which extends outwardly beyond its upper edge, and said end wall including a narrow beveled portion connecting said edges, at substantially the center only of the end wall, and having an indentation at opposite sides of said bevelled portion for receiving mortar or the like.

10. A building element comprising a slab having an end wall adapted to be juxtaposed with and bonded to the similar end wall of a similar element, said end wall having a lower edge which extends outwardly beyond the upper edge, the end wall including a bevelled portion connecting said edges and including an indented portion adjacent said connecting portion.

11. A building element comprising a slab having an end wall adapted to be juxtaposed with and bonded to the similar end wall of a similar element, said end wall having a lower edge which extends outwardly beyond the upper edge, the end wall including a bevelled portion connecting said edges and including a pair of indented portions, one on each opposite side of said connecting portion.

12. A building construction comprising a pair of slabs having faced end walls, each of said slabs having the lower edge of its said end wall extended outwardly beyond the upper edge of said wall and each wall being provided with a bevelled portion connecting said edges and an indentation adjacent the bevelled portion, the lower edges of the faced walls being placed close together and the upper edges of said walls being more widely separated, whereby a trough joint is provided, in combination with a reinforcing element resting on and centrally positioned by adjacent faced bevelled portions and a filler of cementitious material filling the joint above and below the reinforcing element and bonding the slabs together.

13. A building construction as claimed in claim 12, in which reinforcing rods are provided in the joints at right angles to the joints specified in the claim, and in which said rods rest on and are supported by the reinforcing elements specified in the claim.

14. A building construction including a plurality of building elements each comprising a slab having a substantially flat end wall broken by a pair of lengthwise indentations each entering from and open to an opposite edge of the end wall, said end wall including: an unindented portion constituting a lug separating the indentations, said elements being positioned with said edges spaced apart to form an open joint, and

a filler of cementitious material filling. said joint and bonding the elements together.

15. A building construction including a plurality of building elements each comprising a slab having opposite end walls, each of said. walls including a substantially straight, plane portionconnecting the top and bottom edges of the wall and an indented portion immediately adjacent to JOHN WRIGHT WARREN. 

